MP Farah Maalim expelled from Wiper Party over controversial remarks

The Wiper Democratic Movement has expelled Dadaab MP Farah Maalim from its ranks, citing his recent controversial remarks.

The party’s leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, announced in a Wednesday statement that the decision would take immediate effect.

Kalonzo expressed concern over Farah’s conduct, stating that the expulsion was necessary to uphold the party’s principles.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Farah Maalim, who until now has been the Wiper party’s deputy, stands expelled from the Wiper Democratic Movement for violating the constitution and the rights of Kenyans,” Kalonzo said.

Farah sparked fresh controversy after using harsh language against young critics of the government while asserting that President William Ruto would serve beyond one term.

Farah dismissed the president's critics as ignorant, declaring his firm support for the president’s leadership.

“When you see everything progressing and then some fools say, ‘Kasongo Ruto must go.’ To hell with those who say that! Is he sitting in your mother’s or father’s seat? He is sitting in our seat, and we will re-elect him; we will deliver 99% or even 100%. We are saying Ruto will stay until 2032,” Maalim said during a recent address, using further unprintable terms to describe youthful Kenyans critical of the administration.

The MP has faced backlash before for his incendiary remarks. In July 2024, he came under fire for suggesting that if he were Kenya’s leader, he would have dealt with youthful demonstrators with extreme measures, stating he could “even have killed 5,000 of them each day.”

However, according to the Political Parties Act, a member can only be expelled from a political party for contravening the party’s constitution and must be given a fair hearing through internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

The Act stipulates: “A person may be expelled from a political party if that person contravenes any of the provisions of the constitution of the political party.” It further mandates that “A political party shall, before expelling a member under subsection (1), afford such member a fair opportunity to be heard in accordance with the internal party disputes resolution mechanism prescribed in the constitution of the political party.”